Glipizide and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Limited data indicate that the levels of glipizide in milk are low. However, an alternate drug for which there is more information may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Monitor breastfed infants for signs of hypoglycemia such as jitteriness, excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, seizures cyanosis, apnea, or hypothermia. If there is concern, monitoring of the breastfed infant's blood glucose is advisable during maternal therapy with hypoglycemic agents.[1,2]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Two women who had delivered via cesarean section and were receiving glipizide 5 mg daily in the immediate postoperative period had milk glipizide levels measured. Trough glipizide milk levels were undetectable (<80 mcg/L). The authors estimated that the maximum dosages that a fully breastfed infant would receive is <27% of the weight-adjusted maternal dosage.[3]

Effects in breastfed infants

Blood glucose levels were normal in 2 breastfed infants whose mothers were taking oral glipizide 5 mg daily.[3]

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternative drugs to consider

Acarbose, Glyburide, Insulin, Metformin, Miglitol

References

1. EverettJA Use of oral antidiabetic agents during breastfeeding. J Hum Lact 1997 13 319 21 9429368 PubMed
2. BerlinCM BriggsGG Drugs and chemicals in human milk. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2005 10 149 59 15701580 PubMed
3. FeigDS BriggsGG KraemerJM Transfer of glyburide and glipizide into breast milk. Diabetes Care 2005 28 1851 5 16043722 PubMed